Awning



Feb. 12, 1929.

' N. NELSON AWNING' Filed Julie 1:5, 192? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N. H. NELSON:

AWNING Filed June 13, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1?. H. JYELs ozr elem-ea 1a,1929.

wunsn. innnson, OF nns Memes, IOWA.

AWNING.

Application mar June 13,

The primary object ofthis invention is 1 I to PEOVlClQfiIl lmprovedconstruction for a rel erlnounted awning 'adapte d to b'e stored inhousingatthetop' of a window opening or the likewhen not desired for useand arranged for different positions of 'ad ust- I nient so that itinaylbe'variably positioned stor for 'shadeandfor storm protection andfor covering a screen or window glass and also for controllingentilation.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved bracket means"for supoortin a housin adaDtedto contain a flexible element such "asanawning and "also means :for locking the housing in the su pportingbracket.

Another objectoftheinvention is topro 'vide an improved supporting meansforthe housing, which supporting means alsofconstitutes a cap "iorclosing the end of the housing and 'for'providin'g Ventilating means tothe housing.

Still another object is to provide improved 'niea'ns for locking;together the walls ofa housing across a longitudinalslot therein,there/b reducing the cost of inaiiufactu're and also permitting accessto the housing at an Y time without in'uri'n "()rinutilatin 4 2'; t3

the parts thercoftffoi the purpose 01 making repairs to the rollermi'iniiting'or fo'rreplacing: the flexible member carried thereby.

A. further object is to'provide an improved binder strip 'ior theloweredge otthe awninn, which strip also constitutes aineanstior reui'ovablyreceiving the central part of'the U-shaped yoke which controls themovement or like ornamental stripto the outer edge of theanfnin'g'saidmeans including anat- La hing clip which. -,also serves asa A wear plate orbumper to prevent "the clothf J m rubbiijig out-hehousing when the awning; is

theren i i i Amer-her object otif the invention;ism

'ticlila 1927. Serial No. 198,625.

provide an improved construction for a "spring bumper means whichis'clesig'ned to throw the awning frame "past center and facilitate theoperation of withdrawing the awning fronrthe housing; said spring meansalso being utilized for holding? tubes 1 1n 1 uprig-lit. position duringinstallation o ftheewnand thereby facilitating this operation.

Another object is to provide improved snap hooks "forconnecting-the"controlling ropes "to theawning frame and forholding the bindier stripin proper posit-ion relative to the Y lei-shaped frame;

Ai ur'iher object is to providenn improved has its casing notched at theends to reduce friction on the ropes (and also arched upwardly in thecenterto *redueeirietionx on the awning is being raise 1th these andoCherob -ects inview, my invention consists in the construction artheropes as they are beingpaid out while 'rangeinen't "and combination *oifelements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the e ai ins andindicated hy "the accompanying *l'rawings inwhich: i

Fig. 1 is a perspective 'viow illustrating my improved awning installedfor practical use on a windowfranie and showing the awning partiallywithdrawn from the housing for the purpose of shading thewindow open-111;.

liigr. 2' is anend' View of the elements shown in, Finns1,theawningbeing stored in the ho 'ising. I p

Fig. detail'siide elevation illustrating the manner in which the springbumper meansiengages one o f'the tubes 'for holding it in uprightposition during the operation of installation. H I Q Figs. s, '5 and 6,are diag' annnatic side views showing the awning in difierenttpositions:Fig. showing th'e awning partly tion'lo'r shading a window opening, andv p 6 showing it extendedentirely across opening; in s'i'ibstantiail'lyvertical plane. ll 3a? is a detaildsectional View on the line- "7 7 of1., showing one arm' of the M-shaped the tubes.

yoke slidably received in one of Fig. 8 is a perspective i iew of oportion e housing l RENT f'oFFrcE, i

withdra wnfliig. 5 showing it in the ordinary double pulley for thecontrolling ropes "which i and closes the longituzflinal slot of thehous- Fig. 12 is a detail section on the line 12l2 of Fig. 1, showingthe method of attaching the flexible member to the binder strip.

Fig. 13 is a detail section on the line- 13l3 of Fig. l and showing themethod by which the snap heck of the controlling rope engages thecentral part ofthe U- shaped frame thr ugh a notch in the binder strip.

Fig. 14 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the binder striphaving a notch therein and also a slit for receiving the clip which isemployed. to attach the fringe to the binder strip.

Fig. 15 is a detail section on the line 15-15 of 1, showing particularlythe method of attaching the fringe to the binder strip.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one of the clips employed for attachingthe fringe or other ornamental strip.

Fig. 17 is an elevation of a pulley employed for receiving and fasteningthe controlling ropes.

In the drawings, I have employed the numeral 20 to designate generally asheet metal housing for the awning, which housing is designed to bemounted. at the top of a window frame 21 or the like. The housing 20 isformed of a sheet of metal bent in.- to substantially square form incross section. The bottom wall 20 and front wall 20 are formed from theopposite side marginal portions of the sheet and do not quite abut attheir edges but are slightly spaced apart to form a slot 22 whichextends longitudinally of the housing at the lower forward cornerthereof. hlounted across the interior of the housing and spaced somewhatfrom the respective ends thereof, are flanged partit-itnis 23. A rolleris mounted for rotation centrally of the housing 20 and has its endportions journaled in the partitions 23. A flexible awning member 25such as a piece of canvas or the like is attached at one end of theroller 2% and is adapted to be extended through the slot- 22 of thehousing at times. The roller 24: is provided with a spring 26 whichtends to rotate the roller in one direction so as to wind the awning 25thereon.

Heretofore, it has been the custom to mount housings such as 20containing roller mounted flexible members directly upon a structuresuch as the window frame 21 by means of screws or other fasteningmembers passing through oneor more walls of the housing between thepartition such as 3 and the ends of the walls, all of the walls beingrigidly attached to the partitions by spot welding or other suitablemeans. Under, such construction, the spot welding of the forward andbottom walls of the housing would not be applied until after theflexible member on its roller had been mounted in the housing and thespring tension of the roller had been adjusted to suit the particularneed, after which the spot welding would be applied. to rigidly securethe forward and lower walls'of the housing. In the event it becamenecessary to remove the roller for repairs or readjustment of thetension or for )lacing the flexible member, it was then necessary toapply force sufficient to detach the forward and bottom walls from thepartitions in order to enlarge the longitudinal slot by outward bendingof said walls somewhat lDUlCHted by dotted. lines in Fig. 8. Thisoperation not only required considerable work, but also resulted ingreater or less distortion of some of the members of the housing and insome instances, insuch injury as to require the replacement of theentire housing. In addition to this difliculty it was also more or lesstroublesome to mount the housing by the method I have mentioned. Toovercome these difficulties and to facilitate the installation of thehousing and also its removal and manipulation for purposes of repair orthe like, I have provided a new method of supporting the housing bymeans of separate brackets and also a new method ol' dctachably securingthe forward and bottom walls of the housing.

By my improved method the bottom wall 20 and forward wall 20 are notrigidly attached to the partitions 23. Metal loops 2'? are formed on theinner faces of these walls in'a vertical plane between each purtition Q3and the adjacent free ends of the walls, as clearly shown in Fig. 8.These loops may be. produced by forming parallel slits in the metal ofthe walls and pressing the material between the slits inwardly. A key 28is formed from a s'trip of metal having its end portions tapered and.bent at right angles to the strip in planes perpendicular to each other.This key, which is shown in detail in Fig. 10, is employed to lock thewalls 20 and 20 together by in sertion of the tapered ends within theloops 27 of said walls. the body of the lcey extending across the cornerof the housing and over the slot 22 shown in Fig8".5'0110 ch end oat ofthese keys is "employed at theihousing and theyare insertedmatter-theand flexible member-from the 'l11ousing;-the

keys 28 maybe readily removed and the Walls and 20 spread apartsuiiieiently to pernnt the passage of the roller and flexlble member.wlthout causing any damage to the housing; ll he'n the keys areinserted," the tapered shape of their ends byv engaging the loops 2?serve to draw the Walls 20 and 20 tightly against themargins of the partitions As heretshowni, the loops 2'? of the housing wvalls projected"through.

slots 27 formed in the dances of thebar m c 7 r t the top and rear Wallsof tition members. the housing; are rigidly attached to the flanges ofthe partitions by means of spot Welding atthe points 29.

For the support of the housing on a frame such as 21 I have providedyokeshaped brackets 30 one of which is clearlyshovvn in Fig. 93 Eachbracket 30 is'formed with -screwholes 31 in its central portion by meansof which it maybe rigidly attached and it may also'have similar holes 31in its top and'bottom members if desired for convenience in .mounthig incertain locations The brackets 30am of ashape to fit snugly the outsideof the housing 20 and'preferably' engage said housing near itsrespective ends and adjacent the partitions 23. The ends of the=brackets30: are rolled outwardly to torward margin of the housing. A key 33 istermed oi a piece of Wire or light rod having its end portions bent atrig'ht angles and adapted to be inserted in the upper and i e i latch-8is ward movement of the housing ronr the bracket after it isinstalledthcreim said key then extending across the front ofthehousinn?Eachlnacket 30 also includes an end all 345, formed integrallywith-the-central' portion of the bracket and bent into a planecoinciding with the outer margins otthe end as nn'xy be carried by theforward margin oil the end wall 34- and arranged to engage said keyafter it is placed in position; In

the present instance, I have shown'the latch 8511s composed of apiece ofWll'Q'lOElli? to form a portion your'nalled in an eye 86 orbearingformed on the forward'margin of the end- Wall. The. bod portion of thezon'tal "plane-end isadapted to: bCSfijtlllg across theopenend of theSLQQP'OIUSO and is also bent to tormalip 8'7 tofrictio'nally engagethekey'EiSand hold 'the -same in place as indicated in Fig. 1." It isobvious that other --for1ns' of latching means, for the key may beemployed if desired. The end Walls 34' may also "be provided Withthescrew h'oles 31 itdesired it maybe'conyenient at times to mount thesupports 30 by means of screws extending throughsaid member.

It desirable to provide means for the circulatioirot aii"-throngh thehousiing to dry out the flexible member 25*iaftei' it has become damp iand prevent moldin or other deterioration. l This 'may conveniently bedone by extending the openings in the partitions'23 totormelongatedslots 38 and also by providing openings-39 in-the end members 3401 thesupports; 5 Dheope'nings 38 and 89 preferablyare staggered so as toprevent the entrance of rain or -s'now to the interior of the" housing.

A-binder strip is provided-fin" theouter margin of the awvning'cloth25,which strip is composed of sheet metalextending the lull length of-the*cloth -and bent at: one marginal portion to formiahook or trough 4-0wvhich preferably is rectangular in. cross section as shown inFigsQB; 14and 15,

said trough being-located on the rear' side otthe device or the t-sidetoward the window frame 21? The oppositegmarginal"portion ofthe'binder-stripiis' bent totorm a fold 41 substantlally parallel and spaced"torformeyes 32, which eyes project beyond the and the told 41 andspaced from both,

shownin Fig: 12. The-outerm"tree margm of the awningmloth 25 doubledupwardly andforwardly upon itself-and this doubled portion 15 thenitoldedreamvardly --and secured together by a line of stitchingspaced-slightly from the inner told 44- ot the "cloth -The foldedportion of the binderstrip is then caused to engage the rearwardlyfolded portion of the cloth and extend around suchportion with theflange d2 engaging between the line" of stitchin as and the-innermostfold 5 4 of-the clotln as shown in'Fig; 12; Thereatter a slight pressureisapplied tothe'foldedportion of the binder strip to compress it uponthe tolded portions of the cloth and thereby cause a permanentconnectionbetween the metal and cloth. A longitudi nil bend or angle 46is produced in the'binder strip at a point adjacentthe 'lOWGlTllltll''lll ot the cloth so that the hooked part of the strip projectsforwardlyof the plane of the'body of the cloth? By--thisarrangement, any

wvater' which may fallupon and run down then turner-laintwardly in hori4 joint between the cloth and metal and the seam between said members isrendered waterproof and dirt-proof.

I provide a yoke-shaped frame, preferably made of a rod suitably bentand hav-.

ing its central member t? received within the rearwardly turned book 10of the binder strip which hook preferably has some re the stud ll) ofeach hinge on either side of the frame is a tubular member 50 whic isopen at both ends. The arms 51 of the U-shaped frame heretofore referredto, are slidably received in the tubular members 50 and the free ends ofsaid arms are limited in their movement into the tubes by the studs -19.

Suitable cords or ropes 52 are provided for controlling the movement ofthe awning and its position and I have here shown two of such ropes, oneat each side of the awning. Each rope 52 has attached to its upper end,a hook 53 adapted to engage the rod 47 through a notch 54 in the hookportion 40 of the binder strio. 53 frictionally engage the rod 47 sothat they are not readily removable therefrom. This provides adetachable connection of the ropes to the awning structure and alsoserves to hold the binder strip against longitudinal movement on the rod17. The ropes 52 extend, through pulleys 55 mounted at the lower portionof the window frame and thence extend inwardly toward the median line ofthe frame. Mounted on the outer eentral portion of the window sill is apulley housing 56 which is open at its forward and rear sides andcarries two pulleys 57 arranged side by side on vertical pivots. Theropes 52 extend around the pulleys 57 and then inwardly side by sideacross the window sill. The end walls of the pulley housing 56 arenotched on their outer sides at 58 to permit the passage of the ropeswithout frictional engagement with said walls. The housing 56 also isarched upwardly at 59 in its central pertion to permit the ropes 52 totravel in superposed relation at times as they have a tendency to dowhen the awning being contracted. rapidly into the housing byuncontrolled action of the spring roller. Mounted on the inner centralportion of the window sill is a pulley bracket 60 having a pulley 61pivoted therein on a horizontal axis transversely of the window frame.The pivot of the pulley 61 preferably is a pin 52 which projects amaterial C at each side of the bracket and provides a The hoolrs meansfor coiling the ropes 52 thereon for the purpose of retaining the awningin any position of extension which may be desired. Both ropes 52 areextended beneath the pulley 61 and arranged as clearly shown in Fig. lfor control of the awning by a person located within the building ofwhich the window frame 21 forms a part.

The lower wall 20' of the housing preferably is turned downwardly at themargin of the slot 22 to form a flange 63 extending longitudinally ofthe housing and the forward wall 20 preferably is folded and turnedoutward slightl y as a bead (let. ll hen the awning is contracted withinthe l'iousing and rolled upon. the roller 21 the binder strip on thefree edge of s d. awning engages the bead and the hooked portion -l0 ofsaid strip engages behind the flange 63, thereby practically closing theslot 22, as best shown in Fig. 11 and lnreventing the entrance of rain,snow, or sleet to the housing. It will be understood that normally, thespring of the roller 24 will hold the awning 25 wound on the roller withthe binder strip projecting partially within the casing and partiallyoutside, in embracing relation to the flange 63.

lVhen the awning is wound on the roller and the parts are positioned asshown in Fig. 2, the position of the rod 47 in the hooked. portion 40 ofthe binder strip is in a vertical plane outside of the plane of thepulleys 55. It will thus be seen that when draft is applied to the ropes52 and they are drawn inwardly across the window sill and through thepulley devices 60 and 56, there will be a tendency to swing the rodportion l? of the U-shaped frame outwardly and downwardly. The arms 51of the U- shaped frame slide in the tubes 50 the portion 47 travels in acurved path relative to the window frame. This operation of course,withdraws the awning from the housing and it may be stopped and held inany position of such travel by securing the ropes 52. The outer end ofthe awning will be held away from the window by the tubes 50 and thefabric 25 will at all times be held taut. by the tension of the springroller.

rdinarily the arms 51 project into the tubes as far as they will goexcept when the awning approaches its upward limit of move ment as it isbeing wound into the casing or as it approaches its downward limit o lmovement as hereinafter described. 'lhree positions of such travel areindicated by the diagrams in Figs. 4, 5, and (5. Fig. l shows a positionwhich is attained a short time after the above movement is started andFig. 5 shows a position where the awning is in one of its most usefularrangements for providing shade for the window, although 7 the movementmay be continued u'n the tubes 50 are prar lly .lli'lilztfilllltl lieprevent vibration and rattling of the parts;

sired. Fig. 6 shows a position wherein the awning has beenpulledcleardown andex tends entirely across the windowopeningrin asubstantially vertical plane. .It will be noticed that afterthe rod ll'and tubes 50 have reached a certain point in their ,arcuate travel therods 51 will. again slide outwardly.

of the tubes until. they reash the position of Fig. 6, which outwardmovement will of course, vary with the wrtical dimension of the windmvframeand the vertical spacing of the hinge brackets 48 abm e the Windowsill. "The parts are so arranged that the arms 51 can never be Whollywithdrawn from the tubes 50 in such movement.

I have also provided. an improved cushioa ing and anti-rattling meansefor theawning frame, which 1s shown .11] F1gS.: 1, 2. and.

This means .com QIISGS a sarin at- 3. tached to each: side of thewindowframeem;

The springs .65 are located just above the hinge brackets/l8 and besecured and held behind said brackets,;as shown. Each impact 01" saidtubes if the ropes 52 should happen to be released and thespring'rollerallowed. to drawup the awmng andrthe' frame so rapidly that the momentumwould swing the tubes against the Windowframe.

position until the installation is completed. Art 1'- u1a,=u1e springs65 are returned to their normalf positions, tl1us-releasing the tubesfor their] pivotal movement.

It is sometimes 'de end (if the awning, which strip maybe in.

I I ble to provided-an .1- ornamental strip for the freeedgecr outerthenature of a fringe or scallop. 1t not desirable however, to have suchornamental strip permanently"attached to the awning because it could notbe received Within the housing when the awningis Wound up andconsequently' "would become soiled more making it detachable, theornamental strip quicklythan the body of the "awning. -,By

maybe removed and 'cleaned'at any time months when the awning isnotusedextenacterdescribed is indicated bythe reference tachably securing thestrip" 68,1 employ a sive'ly. fern-ornamental strip of the char and.alsouna'y be removed during winter" number 01" clips 69, one which isshown v1n Fig. 16. Each cl p 69 COH'IP'IlSQSEif SllOl'l?" strip of metalhaving a tongue 70 punched in one end and pressed from 'theplaneoittheclip. At 1n'tervals,the upper face of the hooked portion 40 'of'thebinder strip of the awning is provided with slots each adapted toreceive altongue 70 of one of the attaching clips. To attach'the' stripfid it is laid.along theupperface'of the bu1 .er strip and the clips 69are applied by pressing tl ieir tongues'ZO through the material of theornamental strip. 68'and through 2 the slots 7101 the binder strip andthen" so that .clinch'ingxthem on .the "rear face thereof. fTlie'ornamentalstrip GS preferably extends hen the awning isfdrawnentirelywithiir'the clips 69 serve to holdthe strip 68 firmly n place extendingover thelnnder. strip of tubes 50 so that when draft isfirstapplied tothe ropes 52 to pull the awningout' of the the awningand hanging downover the front edge thereof. The clips. 69 also ,serveto protect theornamentalstrip" Gil-from actual contact with the bead 6 1 of thehousing when the 1 awning is wound on the roller. As

housing, the springs actto push the tubes J sh w in Fig: k1 h clip 69may be formed.

50 away from the window frame'and'thus assist in the operation, asindicated in Fig. The tension of springs 65 also serves to The springs65 have another function which is illustrated in Fig.3. In the ope oil.each tube 50, as shown in Figf whereby the tubes are yleldmgly held inupright .With' a tODgUQTO at each end but one of the tongues is not bentout of the plane of the" "clipeuntil-i't required foruse in the eventuse. l It is apparent that I have providedgan the other is broken orbent out of shapein eilicient awning which is simple or construe-i tionand installation and efiiective' in use for window opening 'or the "likeand one which is provided with,amplemeans for protecting its parts,particularly whennot covering a in use. As the awning fabric is entirelywithdrawn within the housing, it is apparent vthat the awning may beleft in place per manently, thus doing away with the neceslsity orseasonally removing and replacing it. I have also provided effectivemeans for overcoming many of the difficulties which have heretofore beenencountered in the manufacture, installation and use of a device of thiskind, as herein pointed out.

It is my purpose to cover by my claims, any nodified forms of structureor use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included withintheir scope and within the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a housing formed with alongitudinal slot, partitions extending across said housing near theends thereof and arranged to support a roller, the walls of the housingadjacent said slot being detached with respect to said partitionswhereby they may be bent outwardly of their normal positions forenlarging said slot to facilitate removal and replacen'icnt of saidroller, and locking means adapted to extend across said slot intoengagement with the housing walls on opposite sides thereof to hold.them in their normal positions.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a housing, two of thewalls of said housing being spaced apart at their adjacent margins toform a slot longitudinally of the housing, partitions extending acrossthe housing near the ends thereof and rigidly attached to the otherwalls of the housing and arranged to support a roller, tllG-llOUS- ingwalls adajcent said slot being detached with respect to said partitionswhereby they may be sprung away from the margins of the partitions attimes for enlarging said slot to facilitate removal and replacement ofthe roller, and a key adapted to extend across said slot into engagementwith the detached housing walls for holding them in their normalpositions.

3. A. device of the class described, comprising a housing, two of thewalls ofsaid housing being spaced apart at their adjacent margins toform a slot longitudinally of the housing, partitions extending acrossthe housing near the ends thereof and rigidly attached to the otherwalls of the housing and arranged to support a roller, the housing wallsadjacent said slot being detached with respect to said partitionswhereby they may be sprung away from the margins of the partitions attimes for enlarging said slot to facilitate remo *al and replacement ofthe roller, said detached walls having loops on their inner marginsoutside of said partitions, and a key adapted to extend diagonallyacross that corner of the housing containing said slot and havingtapered portions for insertion in the loops of said housing walls fordrawing and holding them in their normal positions.

a. In a device of the class described, a housing, lJ-shaped supportingbrackets corresponding in size and shape with the cross sectional areaof the housing and adapted to receive and support the same, and latchingmeans extending across the open side of each lJ-shaped bracket toprevent removal of the housing therefrom.

5. In a device of the class described, a housing, U-shaped supportingbrackets corresponding in size and shape with the cross sectional areaof the housing and adapted to receive and support the same, eachU-shapcd bracket being formed at its ends With'eyes projecting beyondthe housing, and a looking key having portions arranged for insertion insaid eyes to prevent removal of the housing from said brackets.

6. In a device of the class described, a housing, U-shaped supportingbrackets corresponding in size and shape with the cross sectional areaof the housing and adapted to receive and support the same, an end wallintegrally formed on the central portion of each U-shaped bracket, anddesigned to pro- ,vide an GIICIOSI'HJGIOI one end of said housing, andlatching means extending across the open side of each U-shaped bracketto prevent removal of the housing-therefrom.

7. In a device of the class described, a housing, U-shaped supportingbrackets corresponding in size and shape with the cross sectional areaof the housing and adapted to receive and support the same, eachU-shaped bracket being formed at its ends with eyes projecting beyondthe housing, a locking key having portions arranged for insertion insaid eyes to prevent removal of the housing from said brackets, an endwall integrally formed on the central portion of each U- shaped bracketand designed to provide an enclosure for one end of said housing, andlatching means carried by the free margin of said end wall for engagingsaid key and holding it in place.

8. In a device ofthe class described, a housing formed with alongitudinal slot, said housing being formed with rigid partitions nearits ends, a removable cap member for each end of the housing, andstaggered ventilating openings in the caps and partitions for admittingcurrents of airto the housing and yet preventing the entrance of rainand snow thereto. I

9. In adevice of the class described, having a roller mounted flexibleelement and a swinging U-shaped frame, a binder strip at tached to thefree margin of said flexible element, said binder strip being formedwith a rearwardly directed longitudinal hooked portion adapted toreceive the central poi tion of said U-shaped frame.

10. In a device of the class describe-d having a roller mounted flexibleelement and a swinging U-shaped frame, a binder strip attached to thefree margin of said flexible element, said binder strip being formedwith a ment may engage the central portion of said rearwardly directedlongitudinal hooked portion adapted to receive the central portion ofsaid U-shaped frame, and a draft element having a hook at one end, anotch in the hooked portion of the binder strip through which the hookon said draft ele- U-shaped frame.

11. In a device of the class described including a flexible element anda pivoted U- shaped frame, a binder strip attached to the free margin ofsaid flexible element, said binder strip being formed with a rearwardlydirected longitudinal hooked portion adapt:- ed to receive the centralportion of said U- shaped frame, said binder strip having its oppositeportion folded around the free marginal portion of the flexible elementand being bent outwardly longitudinally immediately below said flexibleelement where by the joint. between said members is rendered water-proofand dirt-proof.

12. In a device of the class described including a housing formed with alongitudinal slot and with a downturned flange at the rear margin ofsaid slot and a roller mounted flexible element in said housing adaptedto be extended through said slot, a binder strip attached to the freemargin of said flexible element, said 1 inder stripbeing formed with arearwardly directed hooked portion, said binder strip adapted to extendpartially within said housing and into engagement with the forward wallof said slot when the flexible element is completely retracted and withits hooked portion engaging behind the flange of the housing tocompletely close the slot therein.

13. In a device of the class described in cluding a housing formed witha longitudinal slot and a roller mounted flexible element in saidhousing adapted to be extended through said slot, :1 metal binder stripattached to the free margin of said flexible element, an ornamentalstrip of flexible character, and means for detachably connecting saidornamental strip to the binder strip whereby the ornamental strip formsa continuation of the flexible element.

14. In a device of the class described, in cluding a housing formed witha longitudinal slot and a roller mounted flexible element in saidhousing adapted to be extended through said slot, a metal binder stripattached to the free margin of said flexible element, an ornamentalstrip of flexible character, and attaching clips having tonguesextending through the ornamental strip and through said binder strip.for detachably connecting the ornamental strip whereby it forms acontinuation of the flexible element.

15. In a device of the class described, in-

eluding a housing formed with a longitudinal slot and a roller mountedflexible element in said housing adapted to be extended through saidslot, a metal binder strip attached to the free margin of said flexibleele ment, an ornamental strip of flexible character, and attaching clipshaving tongues extending through the ornamental strip and through saidbinder strip for detachably connecting the ornamental strip, whereby itforms a continuation of the flexible element, said attaching clips beingmounted on the outer face of the ornamental strip and serving to engagethehousing at one edge of the slot therein and thereby prevent contactof the ornamental strip with the housing.

16. In a device of the class described having a roller mounted flexibleelement and a U-shaped frame having its central portion engaging thefree edge of said flexible element, pivotally mounted tubes adapted toreceive the ends of said U-shaped frames for slidingmovement, andcushioning springs mounted behind said pivoted tubes and having seatsfor engaging the same when the tubes are in substantially uprightposition, sai d seats being separable, whereby they may engageoppositesides of the tubes at times for supporting them in uprightpositions.

17. In a device of the class described includin g a roller mountedflexible element and a U-shaped frame engaging said flexible ele mentand having a pivotal mounting to a structural frame, a draft elementconnected to each side of said til-shaped frame, pulleys mounted at thelower corners of the structur- 'al frame for receiving said draftelements, a

clu ding a roller mounted flexible element an d a U-shaped frameengaging said flexible element and having a pivotal mounting to astructural frame, a draft element connected to each side of saidU-shaped frame, pulleys mounted at the lower corners of the structuralframe for receiving said draft'elements,a single pulley housing at thelower centralportion of the structural frame, and two pulleys mountedside by side in said housing to receive said draft elements, said pulleyhousing being arched upwardly at its central portion to permitsuperposition of the draft elements therein, and a single pulley mountedrearwardly of said pulley housing for receiving both ofsaid draftelements and provided with a fastening means there for. c

NELS H. NELSON.

